What is a Shot Glass?

Boston Shot Glass

Shot glasses are small glasses that are designed to hold liquids in measurements of 25ml to 50ml. Shot glasses are most widely known as a drinking glass, though they can also be used as a jigger measure when making cocktails. A shot glass is usually used to serve strong spirits and liqueurs in appropriate amounts, and even to serve small cocktails. Shots are traditionally drunk in a quick-fire manner, hence the name 'shot'.

The UK Weights and Measurements Act defines that a premises may sell a single shot measured at 25ml or 35ml, and a double measured at 50ml. The USA defines shots in US fl oz with a small shot measuring 1floz (30ml), a single 1.5floz (44ml), and a double 2.5floz (74ml).

See the table below for more details on shot measurement classification.

Rather than simply pouring a spirit or liqueur straight from the bottle, a pourer is commonly used. This is ideal for the small size of a shot glass as a pourer gives greater control over the flow of the liquid. A pourer is particularly useful when creating a layered shot such as a B-52 because the liquid can be poured slowly so the contents do not mix.

Despite their small size, shot glasses will often have a thick base, which is ideal for slammers, which require the drinker to 'slam' the glass on the bar top. A slammer shot contains a fizzy ingredient, that when slammed, fizzes up to give the drinker an added sensory experience to the strong alcoholic shot.

COUNTRY

SMALL SHOT

SINGLE SHOT

DOUBLE SHOT

UK

25ml or 35ml

50ml

US/Canada

30ml (1USoz)

44ml (1.5USoz)

74ml (2.5USoz)

Ireland

35.5ml

71ml

Australia/New Zealand

30ml

60ml

Germany

20ml

40ml

Poland

25ml

50ml

100ml

Shot Glasses

From after dinner drinks to shooters, our range of shot glasses cater for a variety of spirits and liqueurs. With a wide range of shot glasses from brands such as Arcoroc glassware, Libbey glassware, LSA glassware and Waterford glassware, our shot glasses make excellent gift ideas.

We offer a wide range of different styles and sizes, including single shot glasses and double shot glasses, CE shot glasses and LCE shot glasses for use in licensed establishments. In addition to our shot glassware we have plastic shot glasses, resusable shot glasses and diposable shot glasses.